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Chester Photographic Survey

The origins of the Chester Photographic Survey date back to the early 1960s, when The Civic Trust, together with Chester Library, recognised the need to record the changing face of Chester. Like many towns and cities in the 60s, development, regeneration and change were seen as the only way forward for Chester. This resulted in many of the old buildings, streets and houses being knocked down to make way for the Inner Ring Road, several shopping precincts, housing estates and high rise buildings.

The aim of the Photographic Survey was to record every house in Chester, with priority given to buildings facing imminent demolition. As the much loved market, brewery, Militia buildings and Northgate Station were demolished, the Survey photographers were there to record them. This, then, is a photographic collection with a difference – it records not just the grand public buildings of the city, but the streets of terraced houses, the corner shops and schools, together with the cinemas, pubs and cafes, that many Cestrians remember with such fondness.

The Survey can currently only be accessed at Chester History & Heritage. Copies of all the photographs are available to order at £2.50 or £5 each, depending on size. Contact Chester History and Heritage on 01244 972210 or chh@cheshirewest.co.uk for more information.